West Bengal government to provide jobs to kin of 61 who died during SIR process

The West Bengal government has decided to provide jobs to one member from each of the 61 families who lost relatives during the SIR process. The announcement was made through a post on the X handle of the All India Trinamool Congress.

According to the post, the decision has been taken by the state cabinet. The ruling Trinamool government said the move is aimed at standing beside families affected during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

What the Trinamool Congress said

In its statement, AITC claimed that the SIR process was implemented in an unplanned manner in Bengal. It said many people faced hardship due to document-related stress and work pressure.

The post read, "The coercive, unplanned, and utterly heartless SIR exercise has already claimed innocent lives, ordinary people pushed to the brink by unbearable stress, panic, and crushing workload."

"From the very first day, Smt. Mamata Banerjee and Shri Abhishek Banerjee have led the fierce, unrelenting fight against this sinister plot to disenfranchise Bengal's voters. They stood firmly with the grieving families, offering every possible support and solace."

"Now, in a profoundly humane and compassionate move, Didi's Maa-Mati-Manush Sarkaar has decided to provide government employment to all 61 bereaved families who lost their loved ones because of this disastrous SIR," the post further read.

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"This is the difference between 'Modi Ki Guarantee' to make people bleed and 'Didi Ki Guarantee' to heal their wounds," the post concluded.

The SIR controversy

Since the start of SIR in the state, complaints had surfaced from different districts. Residents had raised concerns over missing names in draft lists, document verification issues, and work-related stress.

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There were also allegations that some people died by suicide due to anxiety linked to the process. The Trinamool Congress had repeatedly criticised the Election Commission, calling the SIR drive unplanned.

The state government had also moved to the Supreme Court over the issue. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally argued the case in the Supreme Court, according to party sources.

The decision to provide jobs to affected families comes after these developments.